Ranchers recognized

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Program and TPWD Pastures for Upland Birds, Gary and Dianna Kocurek have devoted hundreds of hours mulching yaupon and red cedar to restore live oak, savannah and blackland prairie habitats while protecting unique riparian relict pine forests and cypress-lined creeks.

Rolling Plains: Melton Ranch, Roby Paul Melton was involved early in identifying and helping to procure funding to establish the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, where researchers develop sciencebased best practices for quail management, including prescribed burning methodologies, grazing procedures and predator management. Melton manages his own property using practices including planned grazing, Conservation Reserve Program contracts to re-establish native vegetation, and innovative brush control techniques.

Crosstimbers: Quahadi Ranch, Dublin

Owner Stephen Smith engages in active research with Texas Tech University, Tarleton State University and the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch to improve bobwhite habitat and translocate quail to re-establish historic population levels. The ranch has implemented a management plan and, in 2019, Smith decided to de-